Author's Chapter Notes:

So, I'm sitting here on Jasper's lap getting ready to write the next chapter. Emmett is sitting on my desk and they are arguing.

Yes, this is all my fault. Me and my brilliant ideas. Just listen...

Jasper: I got two more! What's that, ten to twelve?

Emmett: Uh-uh! You have to start over.

Jasper: What?...Okay, fine. But you have to start over too, it's only fair. That makes it two to nothin' baby!

Emmett: Forget that! You don't have to start over.

Jasper: No, I like this way better.

Emmett: Psshhh. Whatever. I'll be in the lead again soon.

Jasper: *kisses my neck and whispers in my ear* You don't plan on giving Emmett and Rosalie any alone-time in the house...do ya darlin'?

Me: *dazzled* Uhh...no.

Emmett: Oh come on! That is so not fair!

Jasper: Get over it and go find your own writer.

Ember walks into the room. Okay. This is a bit awkward. Jasper just smiles and hugs me tighter...Glad he knows who he REALLY belongs to. Ember doesn't say a word, just opens a drawer on my desk, pulls out a ruler and holds it out to Jasper, her eyebrows raised expectantly. When Jasper won't meet her gaze she turns to Emmett and offers him the ruler. He just rolls his eyes.

Ember: Okay then boys, I think I've heard quite enough of this stupid argument. Now let's let Mary get on with chapter twenty-one, shall we?

Me: BUT...I need Jasper to help me write.

Ember: Oh don't you worry hun, I've got that covered.

Ember gestures to the door and in walks Jackson. Oh how I love that my mind can make them two different people in the same room! I stand and dismiss Jasper, Emmett and Ember, then gesture for Jackson to have a seat. Ahhh...yes. Nothing like some alone time with Jackson (who smells amazing, by the way) and my PC.

On to chapter twenty-one!

Please don't call the men in white coats...I'm fine.

Really.

Chapter 21

Jasper POV

I'd never been so confused in all my life.

Try to imagine having five years of memories that left you numb and made no sense whatsoever, then spending two weeks with someone who supposedly saved your life, only knowing that every word he says is drowned in deception. To top it all, you come face-to-face with someone you don't recognize, but you know immediately that you love that person enough to give your life for them.

Yeah. It was a little much to comprehend, even for a vampire.

I lay on the bed with my eyes closed, Ember curled against my side, rubbing circles over my chest and belly with the tips of her fingers, trying desperately to remember. Just one memory of her...Was that too much to ask?

"Jasper? What's wrong?"

My eyes opened at Ember's soft voice. I didn't realize how tense I had been. My hands were balled into fists at my sides and I was holding my breath. I relaxed and looked down into her concerned face. She had propped herself up a bit, resting her chin on my chest.

"Sorry," I said sheepishly with a half-grin. "I was just trying to remember...It's difficult for me to accept that I can't."

She sighed sadly and kissed my chest, then shimmied up a little to kiss my lips.

"What do you want to remember?" she murmured.

With a wicked grin I rolled over, pinning her beneath me. "I sure wouldn't mind reliving the last hour."

"Jasper!" she giggled. "You naughty thing you!"

"You like it," I growled, nibbling at her neck.

"So?" she laughed. "Hey...Do you hear that?"

"Hmmm?" I was too preoccupied to comprehend what she was talking about.

"Three sets of heartbeats...Must be the Jacob and his friends! They're here!"

I rolled over with a groan. "You think they'll figure it out if we don't come up right away?" I asked, grabbing her around the waist & pulling her back to me.

"Well I wouldn't put it past Emmett to come in looking for us." She brought my hand up and kissed it before moving my arm out of her way. "Come on!"

Even though I'd much rather have stayed holed up in the bedroom with her all day, it was hard to ignore Ember's enthusiasm. I stood to my feet and pulled on my jeans, then my shirt. When I turned around, Ember was shaking her head at me as she adjusted her clothes.

"What?" I asked, perplexed.

"Ever heard of Hanes?...Do you even own underwear?"

"I like to give you something to ponder, darlin'," I answered with a wink and mischievous grin.

She just laughed and turned towards the door. I followed after her, but stopped short when a sharp pain in my abdomen nearly buckled my knees. Ember was to my side instantly.

"Jasper? Are you okay?"

The pain subsided and I stood upright.

"Yeah," I answered with a chuckle. "I think maybe that animal blood takes some getting used to."

Ember POV

I'd never heard of animal blood causing pain. It worried me, but Jasper didn't seem to think it was a big deal, so I let it go.

We walked up the stairs together and were literally tackled by Emmett as soon as we entered the living room.

Once we were all reacquainted and Daniel was introduced, we took seats in the living room to go over everything that had taken place and discuss what our next move should be. I sat in a suede armchair and Jasper sat on the floor, his back resting against the chair between my knees.

I did most of the talking, Jasper only to spoke to fill everyone in on what he knew of Caius and the plans he had made.

"He wants to destroy the Volturi," he explained, "namely Aro and Marcus. I was made to believe it had to do with the Volturi turning their back on their own kind, but that is apparently not the case."

"It sure isn't," Daniel said. "Caius is just ticked about getting rejected for his ideals."

"What exactly are his ideals?...Why is he doing this?" Carlisle asked.

Daniel sighed and leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. "He doesn't believe vampires should have to hide. Just the opposite really, he sees our kind as a superior species. He wishes to enslave the human race and is willing to destroy any of our kind that dare to stand in his way."

"These wolves...where did they come from?" Jacob asked.

I was pleased to see how well Jacob and his friends seemed to be doing, despite what they had been through.

"Well, honestly that was something Caius never really thought about a lot," Daniel admitted. "I just know that he somehow got his hands on Quileute blood and began testing on humans. He is very scientifically gifted."

"How?" Paul didn't raise his eyes to meet any of ours as he spoke. "How did he get his hands on our blood?"

"The battle with the newborns," Jasper answered softly. "That has to be how he knew so much about it...he was there." His voice sounded strained and weak, and I noticed Edward casting worried glances at him. "I need to get some air," he said, standing to his feet. I shifted in my seat, about to get up and follow him when he added, "Alone." It kind of hurt, but I decided to give him his space and watched as he walked out the door.

"Is he okay?" Bella asked. "Something doesn't seem right with him."

"He wasn't really thinking about anything other than the conversation," Edward said. "But he was trying hard to keep from projecting his feelings...His eyes were nearly black. Ember, when was the last time he hunted?"

"On the way here," I answered. "It hasn't been that long at all."

"I agree with Bella," Emmett added. "Something isn't right with him...and I think it's more than simply being thirsty."

I stood to my feet, on the defensive. "Of course something isn't right! He's had his memories ripped away from him and knows that what he remembers of the last five years of his life is a lie! How do you expect him to act?"

With that I stormed from the room, out onto the front porch. Emmett wasn't far behind me.

"Hey," he said, grabbing my shoulder. "Ember, I didn't mean to upset you."

"I know, Emmett," I sobbed. He turned me around and pulled me into a hug. "This is just so hard."

"Aw, don't cry...Everything is going to be okay.""You really think so?"

"I have to believe it," he said, then chuckled. "You know I'm nothing if not optimistic." I chuckled a little, too, and he held me out at arm's length. "Look, Jasper will be fine. He has a family here that loves him and more importantly, he has you...Now I know he said he wanted to be alone, but I have a feeling he really needs you right now.""You think?"

"Yes. Now go get him."

He gave me a little push and that was all the encouragement I needed. I picked up Jasper's scent and followed it into the woods.

It seemed I ran forever and I began to worry about just how far he had gone, when a sound that sent shivers down my spine filled the air. It was a painful groan that I knew belonged to Jasper. I pushed through a patch of small trees to find him on the ground in the fetal position, clutching his abdomen. A few feet away was what looked like a lot of blood. It didn't take half a second for me to figure out he had vomited it...His body had rejected it.

But why was he still in so much pain?

"Jasper!"

I fell on my knees in front of him and he looked up at me. His eyes were completely black and his cheeks slightly sunken.

"Ember, it hurts," he groaned.

"I've got to get you back to Carlisle...Jasper, why on earth did you run this far?" I scooped him into my arms and ran toward the house.

He answered me, his voice barely above a whisper. "Thought I...just needed to hunt...I caught a deer...but the smell..."

His body shuddered in my arms at the memory.

As soon as I caught sight of the house I called for Carlisle. He met me on the porch and took Jasper from me. I followed him to a room upstairs where he laid him on a bed.

"What happened?" Carlisle asked.

The rest of the family had gathered in the doorway, looking on in concern. I explained quickly what had happened.

"Carlisle, what's wrong with him?" I asked, pleading.

"I'm not sure," he answered. "Seems Caius must have done something to him to cause him to need human blood...That would be my best guess anyhow." He looked at his watch, then back at me. "I believe I could be to the nearest hospital and back in about an hour. I'll steal some donated blood and see if that's what he needs. Just try and keep him comfortable until I get back.""Take Daniel with you," I instructed. "He can cover your scent."

Carlisle gave a quick nod and left the room.

I sat on the bed with my back against the headboard. Jasper rolled toward me and snaked one arm over my thighs, trying to pull his head into my lap. I choked back a sob as I helped him...He was too weak to do it himself.

The family had gone back down stairs, except Edward. He came in and sat gently at my feet.

He spoke softly. "Jasper? You don't have to answer aloud if it's too difficult...Did Caius ever inject you with anything?" I wondered if that were even possible. Edward shrugged. "Daniel said that Caius had thought about injections from time-to-time, but he always thought it had something to do with the wolves."

"No," Jasper whispered, answering Edward's question.

Edward, have you ever seen anything like this?

He shook his head. No I haven't...I'm sorry. Keep your hopes up. Remember he can feel your worry.

I nodded weakly and stroked Jasper's hair. Edward stood to his feet and placed a hand on Jasper's shoulder.

"I'm going to let you rest...I'm sure Carlisle will have you fixed up in no time."

Jasper didn't open his eyes, but smiled a little. Edward leaned over and kissed my forehead, telling me to rest as well, and that I looked exhausted.

"Thanks a lot, Edward. I feel fine," I replied, feigning insult.

He flashed me a crooked grin and left the room.

It was hard for me to comprehend Jasper being so weak and vulnerable…It was as if he were sick. It was so…human. I continued to stroke his hair, allowing my fingers to trail gently down his arm to his fingers, then back up again. He would wince in pain every now-and-then, but it wasn't nearly as bad as when I had first found him.

I focused completely on relaxing and staying calm for Jasper, and it wasn't long before Carlisle returned, holding several small red bags in his hands. Edward came in with him, but the rest of the family opted to stay down stairs.

I helped Jasper to sit up, propping him up with pillows. It hurt me to see him in so much pain.

Carlisle sat on the edge of the bed and laid every bag but one on the nightstand.

Edward set a glass down and Carlisle opened the bag, pouring the contents into the glass.

Jasper's nostrils flared slightly, then he gagged.

"Take it away, please," he begged weakly.

"Jasper, you should try~" Carlisle began.

Every muscle in Jasper's body tensed and he cried out in pain, rolling towards me. I wrapped my arms around him the best I could and looked up at Carlisle.

"Carlisle?" I cried.

He handed the glass and empty bag to Edward, who quickly left the room to dispose of it. Carlisle opened the windows, to help dissipate the scent.

Edward soon returned, along with Emmett and Daniel.

Jasper was finally beginning to calm.

I knew what had to be done, and it killed me inside to even think it.

I looked up into four pairs of worried eyes, my resolve solidifying.

"We have to go back." I whispered.

Chapter End Notes:

Jackson: Well that sucks.

Me: Oh shut up.

Jackson: Not the story! Just kinda sucks for Ember and Jasper. Please tell me this thing has a happy ending.

Me: I don't have to tell you anything. But I will tell you that TONIGHT will have a happy ending. *evil grin*

Yeah, I know. Leave me alone & review!